[Leg muscle bed syndrome: medical aspects of chronic forms]

Ninety two patients with lower leg pain of unknown cause underwent intramuscular pressure measurements by the needle technique described by Whitesides. Fifty four patients (59%) were found to have a chronic compartment syndrome. In these patients the intramuscular pressure was significantly increased at rest and after exercise as compared with normal subjects (13) and patients without the syndrome (38). Increased pressure at rest after exercise and a prolonged time for normalisation are the most commonly parameters in diagnosing chronic compartment syndrome. Tissue pressure measurement remains the basis of diagnosis for patients suffering from chronic compartment syndrome, indeed the clinical findings alone were found to be insufficient. Effective treatment consists of reduction of exertional activities or decompression by fasciotomy. The clinical results after fasciotomy were good and consistent with the findings of others.